Are my belts about to go?

[memper]

Went out for a short but hard ride this afternoon and after it was warm I heard an intermittant(sp) but cyclic "schuh-schuh-schuh" kind of sound. I hear it at idle, pipes probably drown it out while riding. After filling up I bent down to listen and I think it was coming from the timing belts. Almost sounds like a belt is rubbing?
It comes and goes.
Bike was bought used and has 13k+ mi.
PO had it serviced a couple years ago at FBF in Pennsylvania. Not sure if they did the belts or not.
I suppose the safe thing is to replace them but during inspection, what do I look for in terms of wear/possible failure?

[Howie]

A couple of years ago or longer?  Do the belts.  Check the tensioner bearings.

[memper]

But since the service he has done his own work. Thats just the last time it was in a "garage".
I suppose I could dig out his number and try to get a full rundown of what he has done and what he hasn't.
I do know that he did not ride it much.

*so ca-cycleworks for belts?

[corey]

did you pull the belt covers off and visually inspect them?
look for rubber shavings and whatnot. check the tensioner bearings as mentioned.
your air-cooled bike should fall under the 5-mm allen key trick for checking as tension as well.

a lot of guys are "replace the belts every 2 years regardless of mileage" folks... I am not. i had a long discussion with my dealership tech about it, he said that there is no need to replace them before 12,000 miles, regardless of age (to a limit, obviously 10-15 year old belts you'd want to replace), and that he'd be willing to put money on it.

in short, check them out, find where exactly the audible sound is coming from, and go from there.
don't go buying belts before your sure if it's the issue.

[Thermite]

he said that there is no need to replace them before 12,000 miles, regardless of age and that he'd be willing to put money on it.

On the other hand if you break one you will be forever sorry.  Since it's no more difficult than changing your underwear every day for a whole week I'd do the replacement.

[Howie]

Time is very much as important as mileage.  Belts in one position for a long time (low mileage) tend to take a set like tires on the ground not moving.  Also, compare the cost of the belts to the cost of major head repair or a replacement engine.  This is why it is called "preventive maintenance".

[ducpainter]

did you pull the belt covers off and visually inspect them?
look for rubber shavings and whatnot. check the tensioner bearings as mentioned.
your air-cooled bike should fall under the 5-mm allen key trick for checking as tension as well.

a lot of guys are "replace the belts every 2 years regardless of mileage" folks... I am not. i had a long discussion with my dealership tech about it, he said that there is no need to replace them before 12,000 miles, regardless of age (to a limit, obviously 10-15 year old belts you'd want to replace), and that he'd be willing to put money on it.

in short, check them out, find where exactly the audible sound is coming from, and go from there.
don't go buying belts before your sure if it's the issue.

While I agree that 2 years is over kill, I'd disagree about no time limit.

I had a set of belts turn to more like plastic than rubber in 4 years.

It isn't worth the risk.

[memper]

I took the covers off. Some black/gray dust but no shavings or bits. Belt edges seemed 98% fray-free. Teeth looked fine, tension "seemed" ok though I don't know yet what proper tension feels like. And the belts appeared to be running true. IF say, the belts are fine, what else should I check that would make that cyclic rubbing sound. Bad bearings somewhere? Can I spray lube on the pulleys/rollers "axles" so-to-speak?

[motoxmann]

the bearings for the cams and the cam-driveshaft are inside the motor, and fed by engine oil. spraying lube on anything will do nothing good, if anything it will be bad as it can damage the belts due to the chemicals reacting with the rubber, and it can allow the belts to slip which is often worse than a belt breaking. do not lube anything in there.

maybe the valve adjustment is out of spec. when it's out a little bit, it can make light sounds that sometimes sound like a rubbing type sound

[Howie]

The tensioner bearings can be checked by removing the belts and rotating slowly.  Any play, roughness or tick requires replacement.  The belts may look good on the outside, but the cord can be breaking down internally.

[memper]

the bearings for the cams and the cam-driveshaft are inside the motor, and fed by engine oil. spraying lube on anything will do nothing good, if anything it will be bad as it can damage the belts due to the chemicals reacting with the rubber, and it can allow the belts to slip which is often worse than a belt breaking. do not lube anything in there.

maybe the valve adjustment is out of spec. when it's out a little bit, it can make light sounds that sometimes sound like a rubbing type sound

Noted! If valves were out of spec wouldn't I hear a light tapping sound rather than a rubbing sound?
Anyways, I'm going to replace the belts simply because I have no clue as to how many miles are on them.

[Howie]

Noted! If valves were out of spec wouldn't I hear a light tapping sound rather than a rubbing sound?
Anyways, I'm going to replace the belts simply because I have no clue as to how many miles are on them.

You might get a rubbing sound if they are too tight. 

[memper]

But usually they don't tighten over time, yes? This sound just came about after riding all summer. Valves haven't been touched this season. New belts are on the way!

[Howie]

They can if there is seat recession.  You may as well check them while you have the belts off.

[BastrdHK]

Good to be proactive with belts, but it may simply be a nuance of the bike you aren't yet familiar with...as in completely normal.